TresSugar

Front Page: Japan Confirms New PM, Poll Finds 18 Percent Undecided, Bailout Shockwaves

CitizenSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:56:48 -0700

Japan Confirms New PM:
Conservative Catholic Taro Aso became Japan's new Prime Minister today with promises to revive Japan's economy and keep the country vigilant in the fight on global terror. The 68-year-old former Olympic skeet-shooter said, "The mission is not for Afghanistan, the US or for Pakistan, but it's a responsibility as a member of the international community to fight against terrorism. We must continue the mission by all means."

Poll Finds 18 Percent Undecided:
A new AP/Yahoo poll finds that 18 percent of likely voters are still undecided or willing to change their minds, now just five weeks before casting ballots. The economy was the biggest issue to most respondents and the indecision stems from not knowing which candidate will help the situation most.
Bailout Shockwaves:
After five hours of testimony in front of the Senate Banking Committee, the details of the $700 billion bailout plan "did not abate the growing discontent,” according to one House Republican who opposes the plan. George W. Bush expressed extreme confidence that the "discontent" will be resolved and said, "I am confident when it's all said and done, that there will be a robust plan." However, former President Jimmy Carter called the plan "faulty," amid news that the FBI has begun a fraud investigation into the four major financial firms involved in the current financial crisis.

First Stop For Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: Japan!

CitizenSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:30:00 -0800

Back in 1993 when first lady Hillary Clinton visited the great Buddha on the outskirts of Tokyo, hundreds of people greeted her at the train station. Now, when she returns sixteen years later on her first overseas mission as Secretary of State, we'll find out if the Japanese still have love for Hillary.

Hillary's appointment received a mixed reaction in Japan, as some voiced concerned over her statements that China was the most important bilateral relationship for the US, and the cool US-Japanese relations under Bill Clinton. While in Japan on Feb. 16-18, Secretary Clinton will hold talks with Japan's foreign minister and Prime Minister Taro Aso. On their list of things to talk about are: North Korea, Afghanistan, and the financial crisis.

After she checks those topics off the list, Clinton will head to Indonesia, South Korea, and China. Are you happy to see the US top diplomat choosing Asia as her first destination?

Source

It's Good to Be the King!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Some of us Americans (myself included) are woefully unaware of who world leaders are. Like, do you know if Japan has a president or a prime minister? Do you know this person's name? (Taro Aso is the prime minister, and yes, I looked it up.) Well, I have another open secret for you. Somewhere in the back streets of Tokyo, there resides an aristo-cat who is really the Furry King of Japan. Here's some secret footage of him enjoying a repast of gyoza and beer! (As for the momentary stink eye - I think one of his subjects back-talked. He doesn't like that.)